Q&A: Max Lawrence talks us through his new release ‘Gasoline’ and go to gig looks

Dark synths and haunting vocals are deeply embedded throughout Max Lawrence’s new single Gasoline. The mystic-like, electro-pop track dives into the idea behind being materialistic and having the need to douse ourselves in jewels and goods.

The Melbourne based queer artist consistently delivers thoughtful, meaningful music that tends to be more than just a song. His indie electronic approach accompanied with soul and RnB influences give him a poetically contrasting sound that leave you feeling soothed and calm.

We caught up with Max to chat about all things from Gasoline to the lucky actor that gets to play him in his biopic, here’s what he had say:

Tell us about your new single ‘Gasoline’

Gasoline is about seeking out distractions from dark, existential thoughts about the state of the world through chasing money-driven careers or obtaining shiny new material possessions.
It’s basically me questioning traditional capitalist notions of what I should be doing with my life, all wrapped up in this dream-like state of denial, claiming that I must be happy in the end, right?

How do you create a song like this, what’s your creative process?

So I wrote this one on guitar in mid 2018, when I was feeling really down and out and unmotivated. I was going through a pretty nihilistic period of my life, just wondering what the point of anything was, and that feeling was beginning to creep into my music. I was questioning within myself what the things that kept me going were, and desperately started to search and identify them. The line ‘feed me gasoline’ popped into my head and then the song just flowed from there.
I then wanted it to sound like this absurd, trippy dream state and produced it with kooky de-tuned bells, granulated weepy synths and washed out psych guitars with my close collaborator Rino Darusman, and here we are!
My creative process usually starts on an instrument, like keys or guitar, but can also start with a beat I’ve crafted, and I usually just sing whatever comes into my head in a flow state, until some little pearl makes itself known, and then I zero in on a certain idea or feeling, and maximise that in the sonic worlds of the production.

Do you find that there is more queer music around now than when you were growing up?

Oh absolutely, it’s SO wonderful to see queerness making waves in big ways that are authentic and honest, yet still inherently subversive. When I was growing up I wasn’t really exposed to another queer artist who was like me until I discovered Woodkid, who became a monument for my queer artistic identity for many of my teen years.
He wrote and sung about boys in such a beautiful, larger than life and romantic way that I couldn’t help but be swept up in his worlds, and start to imagine the possibility of a beautiful queer life for myself, when I was just a closeted high school kid, experiencing so much shame and self-hatred.
Another artist that massively shaped me was Perfume Genius in his unashamed subversion and gritty yet soft revolution.
Queer stories need to be told, so that queer kids can hear them and blossom into their most realised selves, and I’m forever grateful for the artists that help me do that.

Do you listen to your own music?

Well I listen to it a LOT when I’m making it hahaha, but usually after releasing my babies I let them go and don’t listen to them, but occasionally I’ll revisit them and remember where I was at that point in my life, and why I wrote that song, and the meanings often evolve as my life changes.

Talk me through your go to gig outfit and how you decide what to wear

Well I’m a sucker for drama, so think frilly collars, flowy fabrics with cool textures, chains, belts etc. I used to do more blacks, whites and earthy tones, but I’m experimenting with more bold colour blocking lately which has been super fun. I also love a big skirt with a clunky military boot, it feels regal yet punky and warrior-like. I’m definitely inspired by designers/labels such as Palomo Spain, Koral Sagular and Alexander McQueen, and basically want to channel queer Hamlet vibes hahaha.

What is the weirdest gift you’ve ever been given?

My partner and I met some fun new friends from Portland, Oregon at Rainbow Serpent festival last year, we got along really well over the weekend and partied hard, and at the end of the festival they bestowed upon us their treasured ‘clip of peace’ which was just a red bulldog clip but was something they used to calm their anxieties. Needless to say it’s now our most treasured possession, and it hangs on my wall.

What actor would play you in a Max Lawrence biopic?

Toni Colette. I just love her.

What has been your proudest moment so far, either personally or professionally?

For me, the professional and the personal are intertwined, because I’m so closely linked with my music, so I would say my proudest moment would be my collaboration show with the Forest Collective, a 10 piece chamber orchestra for Midsumma Festival last February, called ‘Chlorophyll’. We sold out multiple shows and it just felt really really special, and people really understood the message.

Finally, tell us what your life motto is...

You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain, so just do the damn thing.

Max owns creativity with his thought-provoking songs and joins many others over recent years who’s creativity has helped inspire queer people. It wasn’t long ago when it would’ve seemed strange to hear a man sing about another man on the radio but that has fast become a distant memory. Max can now say he has joined the likes of Woodkid in writing and singing about boys in such a wonderful way.

Check out Max’s latest release below and stream other beats like it by following our “Siri: play chill music” 🔀 playlist.

By Samuel Seedsman.